Volume One, Chapter 65: Protecting My Brother's Love

The cup in her hands was warm, almost a little too hot to hold. The rich aroma of milk tea filled her senses. In her arms, 2S licked its fur, taking the opportunity to give her a lick as well. Beside her, a cheerful little lark hopped about.

“Sister Sang, do you know where my brother keeps his snacks?”

“In the storage cabinet.”

“Are there any fruits?”

“There are cherries in the fridge…”

“Perfect!”

Like a busy little bee, Jiang Ke’er dashed barefoot back and forth, gathering snacks, washing fruit, and piling everything onto the carpet before sitting down with her back against the sofa.

Sang Wan was still thinking about how to explain to Jiang Ke’er what had happened tonight. Suddenly, the television blared to life. Jiang Ke’er had picked an animated film, tearing open a bag of chips as she watched. Joyful music mingled with the crinkling of packaging. The pretty girl before her, lively and expressive, laughed and smiled with the story. It was as if this were just another ordinary night, as if nothing had happened at all. She was simply staying at Lou Ye’s house for the night, and Sang Wan was there to keep her company—nothing more.

Letting out the breath that had been caught in her chest, Sang Wan felt herself relax in an instant.

When Lou Ye entered, Jiang Ke’er was curled up with a bag of chips and a plate of fruit, absorbed in the cartoon. On the sofa, Sang Wan had fallen asleep, her face peaceful and serene.

“Brother, I—” Jiang Ke’er began, but Lou Ye silenced her with a look. Glancing back, she seemed only then to notice Sang Wan had dozed off. Task completed, Jiang Ke’er made a swift and silent exit. She hadn’t even stepped out of the elevator before she received a large transfer from Lou Ye.

[Brother, you’re being way too generous!]
[Next time, I’ll give you a 20% discount!]
[Message withdrawn]
[Thank you, brother! As long as I can protect your love, it’s my duty as your sister!]

Lou Ye tossed his phone aside and strode over to kneel in front of the sofa. Sang Wan’s sleep was troubled, her brows furrowed even in her dreams. Yet when the characters in the cartoon spoke, her brow would relax. Lou Ye picked up the remote and raised the volume by two notches.

She hadn’t yet gone to shower; she still wore her nightdress with his suit jacket draped over her shoulders. A faint scent of mint lingered in the air. The darkness in Lou Ye’s eyes gradually faded. His gaze fell on the red marks at her neck, and a storm of agitation brewed in his eyes. He suddenly felt his earlier actions had been far too lenient.

He ought to have snapped that man’s neck.

Glancing around, his eyes landed on the box of wet wipes on the kitchen island. Lou Ye pulled out a few, sat down by the sofa, and gently wiped Sang Wan’s face, lips, and neck. He even applied ointment to the wound on her face.

His thumb brushed over her lips, and the remorse from that night surged up within him. Inch by inch, Lou Ye leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips.

…

Sang Wan had a sweet dream. In it, she was one of the fluffy animals from the cartoon Jiang Ke’er had played last night, nestled on her owner’s shoulder, cradled in loving arms, cherished like a treasure. The dream felt so real that when her owner kissed her, she could almost feel the cool softness of his lips.

When she opened her eyes to see the crystal chandelier overhead, Sang Wan couldn’t help but laugh. So, when she kissed 2S, was this how he felt?

She turned her head and froze. She was lying on the sofa in Lou Ye’s living room. Lou Ye was asleep on the rug, his back against the sofa. In her hand, she was loosely holding his.

Instantly, warmth flooded her body and crept up her ears. Holding her breath, Sang Wan ever so carefully, as if disarming a bomb, slipped her hand from his. Seeing that Lou Ye didn’t wake, she let out a long sigh of relief.

Dawn’s gentle light filled the room, and outside the window, lush greenery was shrouded in a soft misty blue. Moving quietly, Sang Wan tiptoed upstairs. The moment she closed the bedroom door behind her, she covered her face with her hands.

First, Lou Ye had seen her at her most disheveled. Then she’d clung to his hand all night. How was she supposed to face him when she went downstairs? Would he think she was taking advantage, repaying kindness with mischief? How was she any different from Wan Jianye like this? She could never face anyone again!

Sang Wan pressed her face into her palms as she entered the bathroom. A moment later, still flustered and filled with “what ifs,” she stepped into the walk-in closet and stopped short.

The closet was packed full. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter—clothes for every season, all in her size. Yet, the last time she’d stayed here, the closet had been empty. Or perhaps… they were all Jiang Ke’er’s? After all, it was a guest room, and Lou Ye had mentioned Jiang Ke’er kept stashes everywhere.

She sent Jiang Ke’er a message, asking if she could borrow another outfit. Jiang Ke’er replied with three question marks. Sang Wan took it to mean she was asking which one. She snapped a photo and sent it over.

Jiang Ke’er replied at once: [Sister Sang, help yourself! Wear whichever you like! Your presence is the greatest honor these clothes could hope for!]

Sang Wan could only respond with a string of thanks.

When she went downstairs again, Lou Ye was nowhere to be seen. Daylight made everything unmistakably clear. On the ivory carpet, there were brownish stains from sweet-and-sour ribs, crumbs from Jiang Ke’er’s chips and cookies, and dark red spots left by 2S’s claws poking at cherries.

Clearly, the carpet was beyond saving.

Rolling up her sleeves, Sang Wan bundled up the ruined carpet and dragged it to the elevator. When she came back, the bare floor felt odd, so she turned to the storage room.

Lou Ye’s compulsiveness hadn’t changed much since college. In the storage room, several identical, seven-figure handmade carpets lay in wait.

When Lou Ye emerged from the master bedroom, the living room was immaculate. There was no trace of the previous chaos on the freshly laid carpet. Glancing toward the elevator, he saw the rolled-up old one. The thought of Sang Wan, as at home as any true mistress, finding the replacement and restoring everything—tidying up as she went—brought a smile to his face as the morning sun rose outside the window.

In the kitchen, Sang Wan was preparing breakfast. His eyes lingered on her casual outfit—the fit was perfect. Lou Ye’s gaze softened.

“Lou Ye, about last night…”

“Did something happen last night?”

At the table, Sang Wan had just begun when Lou Ye interrupted her with a question. She paused. Was it because he’d already handled things with the police and didn’t want her to worry? Or was it because she’d held his hand and he wanted to spare her embarrassment? Either way, it was exactly what she wished.

Sang Wan shook her head. “It’s nothing…”

Lou Ye nodded and took a bite of the plump white glutinous rice ball in his spoon. Sesame filling—sweet and soft, just like her lips.

He used to hate eating rice balls: too sweet, too sticky, liable to get stuck in your teeth. But this morning, Lou Ye realized how delicious they could be.

The phone chimed just as Sang Wan was about to leave. She had important things to do today: first, cancel her lease with Granny Wan; then find a hotel for a few days, and start looking for a new place.

She answered the call. On the other end, Lu Jinnian’s anxious voice came through: “Sang Wan, where are you?”